1/48 SMER Macchi Castoldi MC.72

Hi folks, thought it was about time I made some sort of contribution to the forum so made a start on this lovely red Italian Hot-Rod!

Kit is..erm... fairly basic, but that's OK, I always try to see it as a challenge!Quite a lot of flash to clear up and a couple of broken bits and pieces, but nothing that's not easily rebuilt.

Not sure SMER did their homework here, they've moulded both props rotating in the same direction!On closer inspection of some photos of the real thing, it became obvious that the kit blades looked nothing like the real thing as well! Had a look through the spares box and found some spare donor bladesAfter reprofiling the new blades, drilled and pinned them to the hub with some 0.5mm brass tubing and CA.Filled in the hole in the rear hub using the kit supplied prop pin, and drilled it out to accept a 3/32in brass sleeve. Also snipped off the prop blades and did the same as for the front hubEventually got a spinning contra-prop, with the help of an out of shot hair dryer!